TSgt. Ruben Vasquez with the 36th Medical Operations Squadron at Andersen AFB, Guam, has received the Bronze Star for his work as an independent medic with a 12-man military transition team operating in Iraq. Vazquez had 12 hours notice before deploying, first to Ft. Carson, Colo., where he received training on improvised explosive devices and how to communicate with the Army. His job, embedded with the Army MTT, was to help train Iraqis in his specialty; he also provided medical care to his unit. Vazquez said that he “filled a lot of roles” that are not typical for an Air Force medic.
How Miss America 2024 Took the Air Force Somewhere New
Dec. 20, 2024
When 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh became the first ever active service member crowned Miss America on Jan. 14, top Air Force officials recognized a rare opportunity to reach women and girls who otherwise might not consider military service as an option.